Uniontown man accused of fleeing, kicking out police vehicle window
A Uniontown man is accused of kicking out the windows of a police car after being detained for trying to kick down a woman’s door early Sunday morning, according to court documents filed over the weekend.
Uniontown police said they responded to a 911 call around 3:27 a.m. after Lasheka Harris reported that Michael Zeigler, 36, had attempted to break into her home in Pershing Court, and she believed he was armed.
Harris told police that she managed to escape through the back door as Zeigler began kicking in her front door. She also claimed that he had previously appeared at her house the day before, carrying a silver handgun.
The complaint did not specify the nature of Zeigler’s relationship with Harris.
According to police, Zeigler was seen near a residence between Pershing Court and Dunlap Street in Uniontown. Officers alleged that when they approached him and issued verbal commands, he continued walking away and then fled on foot.
Police stated they deployed their Tasers twice while Zeigler was jumping a fence, but it did not stop him. Once apprehended, police said Zeigler exhibited signs of intoxication and refused to cooperate.
While in custody, Zeigler kicked out the rear passenger window of a police vehicle, causing damage to the window, frame and passenger door, charging documents state. Upon arriving at the police station and being placed in a cell, an officer alleged Zeigler spat in his face.
Police found a silver 9mm handgun on Dunlap Street similar to the one described by Harris. The firearm had been reported stolen.
Additionally, Harris told police that Zeigler had kicked in neighbor Shatee Torrence’s back door that morning, waving a gun and inquiring about Harris’ whereabouts. Police reported that Torrence’s back door had been forcibly kicked off its hinges.
Zeigler has multiple felony convictions out of New York and is not legally permitted to possess a firearm.
He faces multiple charges, including burglary, possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, committing a crime with a firearm, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, reckless engagement, possession of a weapon, stalking, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and simple assault.
He is being held at the Fayette County Jail on $125,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month.